About

The website

Cycling in Wellington is a community-oriented website that exists for the sole purpose of encouraging people to ride bikes and have fun doing it. It’s written by a pretty varied bunch of people who have in common a marvellous enjoyment of getting on a bike.

Our main focus is on commuter/transport cycling and we aim to encourage almost-cyclists to take that next step.

Cycling in Wellington was inspired by the excellent Cycling in Auckland website. We owe a great deal to them for their support and encouragement, and most of all for their exceptional contribution towards making Auckland bike riding easy and enjoyable. We hope we can meet their benchmark.

You can contact us at cyclingwgtn at gmail etc

The people

Lisa Black started riding bikes again in 2010 after a 15 year hiatus. She’s still getting the hang of it and rides mainly along the waterfront and (carefully) through the city. Lisa has a new appreciation of shortcuts and alleyways, and rides a mixte frame because she can do it in a frock.

Laura Green started riding bikes on her 5th birthday after receiving her brother’s fire engine red dirt bike, tricked out with banana seat and tassels After playing around in the mud for years, she recently took to the road and now competes locally and nationally on the road and track. You can find Laura burning up the streets of greater Wellington, hanging at the velodrome, or even up at Victoria University pretending to be a scientist. Laura is currently working to promote women’s cycling in the region and if she ever has spare time she is bound to be out on a cycle “touring” adventure.

Patrick Morgan was the 4th kid in a 3-bike family. He works at CAN (Cycling Advocates Network) as a project manager. “It’s my job to support those working to get more people on bikes, more often.” He actually believes more biking can save the world. Current work includes cycle training for kids and adults, promoting everyday cycling, and fixing the climate change problem.

Alastair Smith grew up in West Auckland, but escaped before mullet haircuts, black singlets, and V8 Holdens became compulsory. On their 1970’s OE, he and his partner neglected to buy a camper van and instead bought bicycles when they got off the Trans-Siberian in Helsinki, spending the next two years cycling to Greece with a layover in London. Alastair has cycle-commuted for most of his working life in Chicago and London as well as New Zealand,, and has ridden for recreation and exploration in numerous countries, from the Arctic Circle to Easter Island. He is involved with Cycle Aware Wellington, CAN (Cycling Advocates Network) and the Great Harbour Way: Te Aranui o Poneke, a continuous cycleway and walkway in development around Wellington Harbour.

Ash is rarely seen without a bike. Her love of all things things 2 wheeled began to turn into a healthy obsession when she moved to Wellington (from Arizona, whoop whoop!). Whether it is riding around the bays, exploring the trails, or spontaneous commuter races, she just loves the freedom of a bicycle. Much of Ash’s time is spent with Revolve – an organisation all about encouraging women to get out and ride bikes.

Megan was born and raised near the beach in San Diego, California.  She moved around a lot and was fortunate to live in some pretty great biking towns.  Now she’s settled in Wellington for as long as circumstances allow and she rides her bike with that smug satisfaction that drivers loathe.  She has a car too, though, and she loves to see other riders with their smug on.  She used to be all professional but now she’s a student with a blog called letters to the weather (megandoylecorcoran.com) and a book to write.

Lesley Maher is back cycling after a 20 year hiatus. She rides mainly for transportation, and would like to use the title “Citizen Cyclist”. She has enough bikes to keep her going for now.